Cullinan Properties "Kickstart" Helps Small Businesses in Pekin & Peoria

Cullinan Properties, Ltd. is bringing its successful Kickstart program, first launched in Quincy, IL, to its properties in the Greater Peoria Region.  The program offers new and small businesses a range of incentives and assistance to help offset the often high barrier of startup costs. The program offers a mix of rent incentives, such as limited free or discounted rents; construction financing incentives to make vacant spaces meet business needs; flexible rental terms with early-termination options; and marketing support services. Kickstart will tailor assistance packages to meet individual business needs.

The program was first launched at Quincy Mall, a Cullinan Properties development in Quincy, Illinois.  Kickstart there has helped four businesses open within the mall: Sidell’s Bakery and Diner, Spi-Rolls Ice Cream, Que Town Barbeque and the recently announced Quest Games Unlimited. In Greater Peoria the program will be available at currently vacant spaces at two Cullinan Properties developments in Peoria and Pekin:

·         Prairie Place in north Peoria near the Shoppes at Grand Prairie where only a couple of spaces remain ranging from 1,200 to 2,500 square feet

·         East Court Village in Pekin where opportunities range from 1,200 to over 30,000 square feet

A map of currently available properties can be found at www.cullinanproperties.com, along with additional program information.  

“Cullinan Properties is proud to be able to offer this opportunity to help entrepreneurs start or expand their small business and pursue their dreams,” stated Sean Garrett, President of Acquisitions and Director of Community Relations for Cullinan Properties, Ltd. “As a developer that has successfully helped grow over 100 small businesses, we are able to offer our experience along with a variety of tools that help take a lot of the risk out of opening a new store.”

Mayor Jim Ardis of Peoria stated, “Shopping local has never been more important, and the Cullinan Properties Kickstart program is a great addition to the initiatives we have in place to support entrepreneurs. We know that citizens with great concepts and the grit and energy to start a business often run into heavy startup costs that can shelve that energy. From city incentives and loans to programs like Bradley’s Turner Center and the Minority Business Development Center, there are programs that can help.  I am excited to see Kickstart join the charge to overcome that dynamic.”

Added Mayor Mark Luft of Pekin, “East Court Village is a great part of Pekin’s retail community.  People value shopping at locally-owned and unique stores. In today’s retail climate, finding ways to support brick-and-mortar businesses is even more important. Kickstart can help us fill the vacant spaces at East Court Village while assisting our entrepreneurs start the next great business. My thanks to Cullinan Properties for this great program.”

Cullinan Properties will make other spaces available for Kickstart participants as they become available.  The program is limited to new businesses or small businesses that are expanding. While the program’s focus has been retail businesses, Kickstart can absolutely work for office or other service uses as well.  

Applying for Kickstart is easy.  Interested businesses can learn more and download a simple application at www.cullinanproperties.com.  For more information about Kickstart, please contact Kenneth Diana at kdiana@cullprop.com or (309) 999-1700.